Oktoberfest beers thread

[cabmandone]

I absolutely love this time of year for the beers that come out. I walk into the store humming "its the most wonderful time... of the year".. I'll snag every variation I find on the shelves. My go to is Sam Adams Oktoberfest because it's readily available. Not great but good.
I snagged a four pack of Founders Ultimate Oktoberfest.
I love bourbon barrel aged beers but to me it's messing with perfection to do it to a Marzen. The UO is boozy, almost too boozy, and completely hides what I love best about this style beer. To me it's like hopping a Kolsch... ya just don't do it.

I bought a six pack of Three Floyds Munsterfest Oktoberfest that I plan to enjoy with one of my new found addictions, a La Aroma de Cuba Robusto

If you have a favorite Marzen chime in.

[cabmandone]

What's a thread without a pic??

[Alan A]

I’m good with the Budweiser of Oktoberfest - Spaten.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by Alan A

I’m good with the Budweiser of Oktoberfest - Spaten.

Awe man! Why'd ya have to go and cheapen it up like that?

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

Awe man! Why'd ya have to go and cheapen it up like that?

It’s ubiquitous and not that special but I still quite like it. Spaten that is.
Budweiser not so much - even the Czech version I never got a taste for.

It's not like I said Bud light…

[rockfan4]

We're a week away from Oktoberfest in La Crosse.
For the last several years it has been sponsored by Boston Brewery, with Sam Adams Oktoberfest being the promoted beer.

But I've always been able to get some of the local brew. Pabst has owned Heilemans for a long time now, but we still consider it a local beer, and last year it the local City brewery got a contract to make it again, where it started. Old Style has an Oktoberfest beer, and I think some here like it just because of the local ties. It's a little sweet for my taste, but I'll have a couple. Looking at the Oktoberfest website, it won't be offered at the fest grounds this year. Might be another reason to skip the festival.

There are plenty of Marzen or Festbiers available, along your bland Coors, Bud, and Miller offerings. A few locals, a few imports, lots of choices.

I might have to pick up some New Glarus Staghorn

[cabmandone]

I broke down and had a Three Floyds Munsterfest Oktoberfest absent the cigar. It was pretty much what I expected it to be. I'd probably still buy the Sams Oktoberfest simply because it the Three Floyds version didn't really stand out as better but a six pack cost $10

This time of year I'm transitioning from the lighter beers to the more malty beers like a Marzen, red or brown ale before I make a complete switch to Porters and Stouts. I had a Kolsh and a Hefeweizen at the Cleveland Oktoberfest. For me it's all about the Marzen though.

[tdw28210]

Happened to pass through Munich last Saturday when returning from Italy. This little gem of a beer hall is very close to the train station. Good (not great) food and their altbier (brown ale) was really nice.

[stevej37]

On sale this week at Meijer....$14 for a 4 pack.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Happened to pass through Munich last Saturday when returning from Italy. This little gem of a beer hall is very close to the train station. Good (not great) food and their altbier (brown ale) was really nice.

Ayinger is good stuff. I like their Hefeweizen. St. Augustine Brau is my favorite Oktoberfest bier.

This is good if you haven't tried it. From my Wife's hometown. Rauchbier can be an acquired taste...

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by craigster59

This is good if you haven't tried it. From my Wife's hometown. Rauchbier can be an acquired taste...

Rauchbier is definitely an acquired taste. Reminded me of drinking beer out of an ash tray full of ciggy butts.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Ayinger is good stuff. I like their Hefeweizen. St. Augustine Brau is my favorite Oktoberfest bier.

This is good if you haven't tried it. From my Wife's hometown. Rauchbier can be an acquired taste...

The first time I had this was at a gastropub in Orange Ca on my bday. It was paired with a bacon ice cream for dessert. Sounds weird but it was a tasty combination.

[cabmandone]

^^^
I had to read up on that one. It's a smoked Marzen. I'm not a fan of the smoky flavor which I think it typically peated malt. I've played around with it but a little goes a LONG way. I have a cherry wood smoked porter that I've made but the cherry wood smoke flavor is mild.

[craigster59]

The story is that back in day, Monks brewed the beer in Germany. They had a fire at the monastery and the smoke permeated the harvested malt. Too late in the season to grow and harvest more, they went ahead and brewed the beer and the rest is history.

Schlenkerla is the original and not as "smoky" as some of the knockoffs. Some taste like they were brewed at Hickory Farms.

[matthewb0051]

Augustiner in Salzburg, Austria is a great monk run place. "50% of the Augustiner Brauerei Kloster Mülln OG is operated by the Benedictine Abbey Michaelbeuern"

https://augustinerbier.at/home.html

[stevej37]

Oktoberfest beers are good...but you need something to get the day started out right.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Oktoberfest beers are good...but you need something to get the day started out right.

I prefer KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) for breakfast or if I'm in the mood for some pancakes and syrup, CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout) But I don't think you can get CBS anymore.

Oh man... double chocolate coffee oatmeal stout... that sounds goooooooooooood. I'm gonna be heading up that way in October. Have some in the fridge!!

[GH85Carrera]

I just returned with a 6 pack of the best beer in the world.

Yummmmm.

[cabmandone]

My brother makes a really good Dunkel. I appreciate the gratuitous Dunkel/3.2 pic.... very nice.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by cabmandone

My brother makes a really good Dunkel. I appreciate the gratuitous Dunkel/3.2 pic.... very nice.

I like to open one after any 911 repair project as my reward.